Scoring a last-minute winner in a World Cup knockout match?
Such things are not uncommon.
Taiwan Novel Network is super thoughtful and convenient.
However, if the player who accomplished this feat is an eighteen-year-old prodigy, then it's worth a closer look!
Apart from German media, media from various countries reported on Mark, the German Elf who burst onto the scene.
Many media outlets also provided detailed introductions to Mark's club career, his performance since his debut, and so on.
It's no exaggeration to say, Mark is a sensation!
The video of Mark's continuous wall passes with Kroos and Klose on the wing, followed by his chip shot winner, became a trending video on YouTube that day.
Within just twelve hours, it surpassed two million views!
The influence of the World Cup is immense, as one can imagine!
It's worth mentioning that Wolfsburg fans and German Team fans also compared the photo of Klose carrying Mark to Ronaldinho carrying Messi.
"This is a legacy from the National Team's number one!"
"Mark is Klose's successor!"
So far, Klose holds the individual record for most goals for the German Team with seventy goals.
And Mark, in his first six National Team matches, has already scored five goals and provided three assists!
Five of those matches were as a Super Substitute!
His efficiency is simply astonishing!
If he continues to maintain such goal-scoring efficiency, Mark might truly have the potential to surpass Klose in the future and become the German Team's all-time leading scorer!
However, that's a story for another time... Of course, it was just a knockout match, and the opponent was Algeria, so the value of the last-minute winner isn't considered exceptionally high.
What's drawing more attention is the upcoming World Cup quarter-finals!
On July 1st, with Belgium defeating the United States 2-1 at Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, the last Round of 16 match of this World Cup concluded.
The quarter-final matchups were also freshly released:
"The Gallic Roosters" France VS "The German Team" Germany;
"The Samba Army" Brazil VS "The Coffee Nation" Colombia;
"The Pampas Eagles" Argentina VS "The European Red Devils" Belgium;
"The Orange Army" Netherlands VS "The Caribbean Pirates" Costa Rica!
It's worth noting that these eight teams were all group winners in their respective groups.
All eight group winners advancing to the quarter-finals is a first in World Cup history!
Among the quarter-finalists, there are four European teams, three South American teams, and one CONCACAF team.
France, Germany, and Netherlands, the three major European powerhouses, advanced confidently, while Costa Rica, who has performed astonishingly since the start of the tournament, continued to play the "dark horse" role, making it to the quarter-finals.
Among the three South American teams, Colombia, led by J-Rod, was a bright spot, advancing to the quarter-finals alongside Brazil and Argentina.
For Germany, France is definitely a sworn enemy.
Both in national history and in football, the two countries have deep roots.
As two major football powers in Europe, clashes between Germany and France in the World Cup have always been historic matches.
Whether it was the exciting goal fest of 1958, or the thrilling duels between "New Caesar" Rummenigge and "Field Napoleon" Platini in two consecutive tournaments in 1982 and 1986, all left a deep and unforgettable impression.
After the quarter-final matchups were released, many believed that the Germany-France match was like a final played in advance!
In the eyes of many, this French Team's squad has balanced strength, a reasonable age structure, and boasts many talented young players.
In this World Cup, the French Team has seven players born in the 90s, second only to the Netherlands (9 players) and England (8 players).
However, unlike the English Team where most 90s players played a minor role, among France's seven 90s players, except for 23-year-old defender Mangala, the other six 90s players all started as regulars.
This also surpassed Netherlands (4 players), making them the team with the most 90s players starting as regulars in this World Cup.
Deschamps' bold use of young players also paid off.
In the first knockout round against Nigeria, it was Pogba and Griezmann who combined to bring back the victory.
It's worth mentioning that both Germany and France have a player competing for this World Cup's Best Young Player award.
On Germany's side, it is, of course, the "German Elf" Mark Lane, with four goals in four matches!
And on France's side, it is the eye-catching young midfielder, "Black Zidane" Paul Pogba!
The 21-year-old Pogba rose to fame at a young age at Juventus, and he also shone brightly in this World Cup.
Of course, compared to Mark, who is also a 90s player, besides having a slight advantage in playing time, his performance and statistics are quite a bit behind.
It's worth mentioning that both Mark and Pogba are clients of the Italian Super Agent Raiola.
In the upcoming quarter-final, no matter the outcome, at least one of his clients is guaranteed to reach the World Cup semi-finals!
As for Löw, the match against Algeria was like a wake-up call, making him realize.
This German Team absolutely needs a center forward!
Therefore, in the training the next day, he immediately overturned the Strikerless Formation tactic, removed Götze from the starting lineup, and placed the veteran Klose in the center forward position.
In addition, Lahm also returned to his familiar right-back position.
With the changes in players, Löw also demanded that the team reduce short passing and penetration in terms of tactical play, and instead focus more on wing attacks, especially crosses for Klose.
And during training, the changes in tactics and personnel were clearly visible.
With Klose as a central pivot, the team's tactical play became more layered, and midfielders were able to get more space for shots.
However, what made Löw and Flick a bit conflicted was Mark's arrangement.
Logically, as the team's top scorer and a key contributor with goals in the last three matches, Mark should have been given a starting opportunity.
However, compared to his impressive performances when coming on as a Super Substitute, his effect when starting was not particularly good.
When starting, the opponent's players are in full battery mode, and the intensity of their defense is definitely stronger than in the second half after a lot of exertion.
This naturally makes dribbling and taking on players more difficult.
Instead of making him a consumable as a starter, it's better to let him continue as a Super Substitute, stepping up when the team needs him!
Therefore, after discussions between Löw and the coaching staff, it was ultimately decided to keep Mark on standby as a Super Substitute.
And the day before the match against France, after the starting lineup was announced, Löw also called him to his office to personally explain the reasons and circumstances for not starting him.
Right away, Löw first praised him, and then began to explain.
And as for the coach's arrangement, Mark naturally accepted it happily.
His mindset was very calm.
Whether starting or as a Super Substitute, it didn't matter.
This World Cup champion, he's getting it!
Not even Jesus can stop it!
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